Disney has announced a live-action remake of its 2016 animated hit “Moana.”
Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui in the original, will reprise the role and co-produce the film. Lead actor Auliʻi Cravalho, who voices Moana, will also serve as an executive producer, while Dana Ledoux Miller will once again write the screenplay.
Johnson and Disney CEO Bob Iger made the announcement during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting on Monday.
“I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen,” Johnson said in a statement.
This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion, and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.
Cravalho also expressed her excitement about the project in a Disney press release.
She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses. Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring — to audiences around the world, to me, and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.
“Moana” is a tale about a brave young woman who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her island from ecological doom. During her adventure, she encounters a powerful demigod of the wind and sea who becomes her ally in a quest to recover a sacred artifact and return it to a goddess named Te Fiti.
The film, which draws its inspiration from Polynesian myths, was nominated for a best animated feature Oscar and grossed over $665 million worldwide.
